GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Wheels & Tyres => Topic started by: Coopz on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 05:06 PM

Title: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: Coopz on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 05:06 PM
Have Battleaxe rubber in my 1400. They came on the bike I bought 3 years ago and still have about 50% tread. While cleaning the wheels today it dawned on me I never actually checked the dates on them. Was a bit surprised to see the front was manufactured in 2014 and the rear was 2015.. I will buy new tyres now but to their credit they still look good with zero signs of aging or cracking. Shinkos here we come.
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 05:46 PM
Use the rear up doing burn outs . . . :onya:
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: GSXKING on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 05:52 PM
If you have a local tyre guy you trust, have him perform a test on them. I haven't seen it done yet but I believe it's quite conclusive. If your bike was stored in good conditions tyres don't age so quickly and can remain supple.
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: grog on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 06:18 PM
Just ditch them, too old. Know nothing about Shinko, Japanese made in Korea my limit. Tyres, can of worms, no comments from me😎
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: Barbastro K6 on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, 04:10 AM
It gives me confidence to sink my nail into the tire and feel that the rubber is soft
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: Mr Gee on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, 08:23 AM
Tyres, definitely a can of worms.  :grin:

Whatever gives you the most confidence.

Personally, I like the Pirelli Angels.  :smitten:

Tried the Michelins but they don't do it, for me. I know others will disagree, as we all, have our own opinions.  :whatever:
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, 06:21 PM
GT original or GT2 Mr Gee?
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: Mr Gee on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 06:22 AM
Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 01 April  2026, 06:21 PMGT original or GT2 Mr Gee?

Prefer the feel of the original, more confidence inspiring.

However, the 2's aren't bad and they do last longer
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: GSXKING on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 09:21 AM
This Can of worms has me wanting to add that I used Pirelli's when I was getting a BIG discount.
I now use Michelin because I believe they're far superior in grip, both dry and wet. Longevity is open to many variables but I consider them long lasting and stable during use as long as you're consistent with tyre pressure.
I have the latest iterations on both my GSX and BMW (always two up) and feel a lot of confidence in them always.
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: grog on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 11:43 AM
I'm on my 3rd set Angel GT, suit me fine. Pilot 4 were my last Michys and never liked. Angel GT2 a sad story.Withdrawn in USA.Delamination, inside tears, tram tracking.I think Tony Nitrous has a set for free. Enough on tyres from me.
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: Mr Gee on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 06:20 PM
Quote from: GSXKING on Thursday, 02 April  2026, 09:21 AMThis Can of worms has me wanting to add that I used Pirelli's when I was getting a BIG discount.
I now use Michelin because I believe they're far superior in grip, both dry and wet. Longevity is open to many variables but I consider them long lasting and stable during use as long as you're consistent with tyre pressure.
I have the latest iterations on both my GSX and BMW (always two up) and feel a lot of confidence in them always.

I liked the Michelins too. Right up, to the point where I had a bit of a high speed weave, on them. Not nice.  :bugga:

I say high speed but as it's the UK, I was only doing 69.9mph officer, honestly.  :happy1: 
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: grog on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 06:30 PM
Has anyone experience with Continental Road Attack 4 ? They get great reviews,pretty good price here.
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: Eric GSX1400K3 on Thursday, 02 April 2026, 07:47 PM
Quote from: Mr Gee on Thursday, 02 April  2026, 06:20 PM
Quote from: GSXKING on Thursday, 02 April  2026, 09:21 AMThis Can of worms has me wanting to add that I used Pirelli's when I was getting a BIG discount.
I now use Michelin because I believe they're far superior in grip, both dry and wet. Longevity is open to many variables but I consider them long lasting and stable during use as long as you're consistent with tyre pressure.
I have the latest iterations on both my GSX and BMW (always two up) and feel a lot of confidence in them always.

I liked the Michelins too. Right up, to the point where I had a bit of a high speed weave, on them. Not nice.  :bugga:

I say high speed but as it's the UK, I was only doing 69.9mph officer, honestly.  :happy1: 
my Bavarian Mistress has Michi Pilot Sport 2s on, since I bought it. They've done 15000km and worm well, your comment above reminded me just now, I did have high speed wobble (100kmh+) on the recent wheatbelt trip, initially I put it down to the road surface, but I reckon they're past their best now.  Not at the treadwear markers yet, but they're scalloped as heck. 

Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: KiwiCol on Friday, 03 April 2026, 04:55 AM
Quote from: grog on Thursday, 02 April  2026, 06:30 PMHas anyone experience with Continental Road Attack 4 ? They get great reviews,pretty good price here.

Not first hand experience, but I've also heard good things about the Road Attack 4.    Go on Grog, bite the bullet & grab a set & try 'em out for us.  :onya:
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: Kiwifruit on Sunday, 05 April 2026, 07:23 PM
Interesting Mr Gee, I too had high speed weaves when I was away camping and loaded up with kit. Anyway after checking tyre pressures I was concerned that somewhere I had a problem. I went and had a chat with a fella that's a competent racer . We checked wheel bearings and alignment and tyre pressures again before he suggested the front end was a bit soft. Gave it some more spring preload and it fixed my weave. Could that have been your issue Mr Gee ?
That reminds me I need to adjust the preload of my steering head bearings, id like them a bit firmer.
Title: Re: Er.. New tyre time
Post by: Mr Gee on Monday, 06 April 2026, 10:14 AM
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Sunday, 05 April  2026, 07:23 PMInteresting Mr Gee, I too had high speed weaves when I was away camping and loaded up with kit. Anyway after checking tyre pressures I was concerned that somewhere I had a problem. I went and had a chat with a fella that's a competent racer . We checked wheel bearings and alignment and tyre pressures again before he suggested the front end was a bit soft. Gave it some more spring preload and it fixed my weave. Could that have been your issue Mr Gee ?
That reminds me I need to adjust the preload of my steering head bearings, id like them a bit firmer.


Don't know but I have never, had the problem, while on the Angels.  :grin:  :smitten:

Front end was a bit, soft when bike purchased but didn't touch settings, simply upgraded to 10w oil in the forks, instead of the 5w standard oil.  :onya: